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Archived Spencer's Benefits Reports NetNews™

May 9, 2008 (Click date to view stories in this section)

New Reports

• Analysis: ERISA Notice Requirements/Future Accrual Reductions, 5/08 (117.6.-1)
• Analysis: Use Of Compensation Under Pension Plan, 5/08 (110.-7)
• Analysis: Common HIPAA Questions And Answers, 4/08 (501.-41)
• Analysis: Adoption Benefits, 4/08 (327.2.-5)
• Analysis: Accounting For Postretirement Benefit Plan Costs By Gov't Entities, (4/08) (139.-1)
• Covered Comp Tables: 2007-08, 4/08 (174.4.-35)

News

• Employer Focus Shifts In 2008 To Health Promotion And Wellness, Illness Prevention
• CMS Delays Medicare Payment Updates For Long Term Care Hospitals
• EBSA Receives First Annual Citizen Service Award
• Retirement Plan Assets Continue To Grow Through Third Quarter Of 2007, Including Life Cycle Funds
• IRS Schedules Public Hearing On Proposed Regs On Cash Balance, Other Hybrid Retirement Plans
• Construction Slows On Four Cornerstones Of Health Reform
• Taxpayers May Withdraw Economic Stimulus Payments From IRAs Without Tax Penalties
• New Inspector General Appointed At PBGC
• Health Insurance Cost Increases Outpace Family Income: Study
• 6.1 Million Enrolled In HSA-Compatible High-Deductible Health Plans
• HSA Account Holders Report Higher Than Average Incomes
• EBSA To Host May 8 Webcast On Form 5500 Reporting Requirements
• CMS Proposes Changes To Medicare Inpatient Hospital PPS Rates
• Benefits Costs Rose More Slowly Than Wages In Fourth Quarter
• Genetic Nondiscrimination Bill Passes Congress, Heads To White House
• EBSA Clarifies Certain Issues Regarding Regs On Qualified Default Investment Alternatives

May 2, 2008 (Click date to view stories in this section)

New Reports

• Analysis: IRS Monthly Segment Rates, 4/08 (101.2.-9)
• Analysis: Cash Balance Plans Conversion Passes Accrual Rates In 2002; Rev. Rul. 2008-7, 4/08 (106.4.-5)
• Survey: Monthly Retirement Plan Interest Rates, 4/08 (101.2.-1)
• Analysis: 30-Year Treasury Rate Calculation Deductible, 4/08 (101.2.-7)
• Analysis: HIPAA Nondiscrimination Rules, 4/08 (501.-31)
• Analysis: Premium Payment Rules, 4/08 (617.-5)
• Analysis: Coordination Of Benefits Overview, 4/08 (338.-1)
• Survey: Segal, Funding Status Of Multiemployer Plan, 4/08 (134.8.-1)

News

• GASB Will Review Effectiveness Of Statement Nos. 25 And 27
• Health Care Price, Quality Information Missing From Consumer-Directed Health Plan Equation
• Employee Contributions For Health Care Are Nearly One-Month’s Salary
• CMS Releases Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan Rates For 2009
• Actuaries Review Medicare Part D Accounting Practices
• Seven Out Of Ten Employers Offer Retirement Or Financial Planning To Employees
• IRS Seeks Nominations For Members Of Advisory Council
• Senate Bill Would Impose Greater Restrictions On Executive Comp
• House Bill Would Permit FMLA Leave For Victims Of Violent Crimes
• Genetic Nondiscrimination Bill Passes Senate, Heads To House
• AHRQ Seeks Nominations For Members Of National Advisory Council For Health Care Quality
• Layoff Of Employee Whose Duties Were Eliminated Did Not Violate The FMLA
• Text: Thrift Investment Board, Final Rule, Participants' Choices of TSP Funds
• Federal Thrift Board Regulations Limit TSP Transfers To Two Per Month
• IRS, Treasury Department Update 2007-08 Priority Guidance Plan
• DOL Obtains Consent Judgment That Orders Restoration Of $863,636 In Pension, Flex Plan Assets

April 25, 2008 (Click date to view stories in this section)

New Reports

• Analysis: FERS: Federal Thrift Savings Plan Similar To 401(k), 4/08 (108.3.-1)
• Analysis: Conversion To A Cash Balance Plan Requires Preserving Existing Account Balance, 4/08 (106.4.-1)
• Analysis: PBGC Arbitration Procedures, 4/08 (620.04.-1)
• Overview And Analysis: Consumer Price Index (CPI), 4/08 (301.1.-1)
• Surveys: EBRI, Kaiser, Drop In Employer-Provided Health Benefits, 4/08 (422.2.-5)
• Analysis: Redetermination Of Withdrawal Liability, 4/08 (620.02.-11)
• Analysis: Sec 125 Proposed Nondiscrimination Rules, 4/08 (351.-35)

News

• Text: IRS Information Letters 2008-1, 2008-6, Non-Plan Payments For Health Care
• Wages Paid In Lieu Of Health Care Benefits Are Subject to FICA Taxation
• IRS Schedules Public Hearing On Proposed Regs On Valuation Of Plan Assets And Benefit Liabilities
• Court Bars Former Third Party Administrators From Future Service To Employee Benefit Plans
• Insurer Improperly Terminated LTD Benefits Of Beneficiary Who Was Unable To Return To Work
• Health Care Value Not Good; Cost-Cutting Efforts Risk Benefits Erosion
• Treasury Department, IRS Seek Recommendations For 2008-09 Guidance Priority List
• Plaintiff Failed To Prove That Her Termination After Filing Claim For STD Benefits Violated ERISA
• Retiree Was Not Entitled To Higher Amount Of Pension Benefits Shown On An Online Estimate, Court Rules
• Cost Sharing In HDHPs Often Exceeds Available Assets
• Employers Welcome FMLA Proposed Rule Changes, Yet Ask For More
• ERISA Did Not Preempt Insurer’s State Law Claims For Reimbursement From Health Care Plan, Court Rules
• ERIC Calls For “Mind-Set Change” In IRS’s Final Regulations On Hybrid Retirement Plans
• Staying Power Lacking In Wellness Programs
• Health Care Is Top Issue In Upcoming Election For 21% Of Registered Voters
• FMLA’s Statute Of Limitations Barred Lawsuit Challenging Employee’s Termination
• New Benefits Questions And Answers, Week Of April 21
• Pension Funding Ratios Improved In 2007; Greenwich Sees Beginning Shift To Asset-Liability Matching
• Majority Of Physicians Now Support National Health Insurance
• Court Orders Distribution Of 401(k) Plan Assets Of Michigan Firm

April 18, 2008 (Click date to view stories in this section)

New Reports

• Analysis: Family And Medical Leave Rules, 4/08 (327.1.-13)
• Text: Model Notice For Endangered Multiemployer Plans, 4/08 (132.1.-7)
• Analysis: Cash Balance Plan Transitional Guidance In Notice 2007-6, 4/08 (106.2.-7)
• Analysis: Fair Market Value Of Plan Assets, 4/08 (605.23.-1)
• Survey: BLS, Benefits Account For 30.2% Of Total Compensation, 4/08 (422.-9)

News

• Text: IRS, Final Regulations, Comparable Contributions To HSAs
• Text: DOL Advisory Opinion 2008-4A, Indicators Of Ownership Under ERISA 404(b)
• Final HSA Rules Guide Employers On Contributions Made After Year’s End
• House Passes Tax Bill With HSA Substantiation Provision
• EBSA Addresses Use Of Foreign Custodial Services By A Bank That Manages Pension Plan Assets
• Text: IRS, Proposed Rules, Minimum Required Pension Contributions
• Text: CMS, Final Rule, Changes To The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
• Final Rules Update Provisions For Medicare Part D Retiree Drug Subsidy
• IRS Proposes Regs On Minimum Funding Contributions For Single-Employer Plans
• PBGC Issues May 2008 Interest Rates For Valuing Terminating Pension Plans
• Employers Promote Wellness Programs To Skeptical Employees
• Wellness Programs Pose Many Legal Risks
• DOL Offers Online Video To Help Small Employers Select The Appropriate Retirement Options
• Insured Whose Disability Was Not "A Direct Result" Of Accident Was Not Entitled To Disability Benefits
• Preventable Medical Errors Cost Medicare $8.8 Billion
• Reports Update Mortality And Cost Increases Due To Lack Of Health Care Coverage
• Subcontractor Was Required To Make Pension Fund Contributions On Behalf Of All Project Workers
• Staying On The Job May Prevent Erosion Of Health Benefits For Employees Aged 55 To 64
• Secretary Of Labor Appoints New Members And Leaders To 2008 ERISA Advisory Council
• Medicare Beneficiaries Face Higher Cost Sharing, More Utilization Management For Part D Prescription Drug Plans
• Health Care Plan Properly Denied Coverage Of "Back-Up" Prosthetic Arm, According To Eighth Circuit